Bullous Pemphigoid

Bullous Pemphigoid

Bullous pemphigoid is a chronic, autoimmune disease that most often affects the skin. It occurs equally in females and males and has been described in all age groups, but it affects elderly persons far more commonly. The true incidence of bullous pemphigoid is unknown. About 5-10 new cases are seen yearly in a large hospital referral center.

Autoimmune disorders are caused when the body’s immune system, which is meant to defend the body against bacteria, viruses, and any other foreign product, malfunctions and produces antibodies against healthy tissue, cells and organs.

Clinically, bullous pemphigoid has a number of ways it can come on. It can be a spontaneously remitting local bullous (round, ball-like) eruption or a generalized recurrent debilitating disease. Itching is a variable symptom. Bizarre plaques or red irregular shaped lesions may proceed or follow the formation of bullae.

Healing of the bullous lesions of localized pemphigoid usually results in scarring and secondary infection. The mucous membranes, including the esophagus, are involved in 15%-20% of patients.

Conventional treatment involves the use of Prednisone and other corticosteroids. Often patients are unable to tolerate the toxic side effects of these drugs.